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As the title says, ever run a campaign that was completely historical, or at the very least, involved nothing magic, supernatural, or super-technological?
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Jumping back in time oughtta provide plenty of escapism but maybe we'd used fantasy elements for so long we'd rusted over on how bizarre, mysterious and exciting the world can be on its own.
But why should bandit attacks require ogres to be interesting and colorful?
I'm saying/wondering if the stuff before the + feels blah because we've always been shoring it up with fantasy bits and eschewing subtler flavors... like kids I know who eat so much sugar and salt that they can barely taste stuff that isn't fast food and candy. And because we (the group I'm in) concentrate on the absence of elf magic sweetener, we ignore/miss other spices/flavors altogether.
Imperator said:James Bond 007 does count as not magic?
The Scarlet Pimpernel, on the other hand...
Despite my interest in the genre and general period, I'm not very familiar with this particular swashbuckler. Are you saying it is notably realistic?
Yes, in Flashing Blades, using the default setting, circa 150 sessions if my estimates are right.As the title says, ever run a campaign that was completely historical, or at the very least, involved nothing magic, supernatural, or super-technological?
I keep wanting to run a Western campaign set in the late 1870s but I haven't had a chance to yet.
I'm not sure notably realistic, but the Pimpernel is not so much swashbuckler as Cloak and Dagger. He's an English secret agent circa the French Revolution who sneaks aristocrats out of France to save them from "The Terror", usually using elaborate disguises. The novels by Baroness Orczy , published I think late 1800s or very beginning of the 20th century...
I'm not sure notably realistic, but the Pimpernel is not so much swashbuckler as Cloak and Dagger. He's an English secret agent circa the French Revolution who sneaks aristocrats out of France to save them from "The Terror", usually using elaborate disguises. The novels by Baroness Orczy , published I think late 1800s or very beginning of the 20th century, sort of bridge the gap between Pulp/superheroes and folk heroes like Robin Hood. They're highly entertaining reads.
Never read the books but the film from 34' with Leslie Howard and Merle Oberon is terrific fun. Howard brings out a lot of humour playing the fop.
Course this is the most faithful adaptation.
The Jane Seymour/Ian McKellen version was a lot of fun as well. Between that, Battlestar Galactica, James Bond, and Sinbad, I still have a massive crush on her.
I think the closest I’ll come is running Mythic Britain but never completely devoid of the magic.As the title says, ever run a campaign that was completely historical, or at the very least, involved nothing magic, supernatural, or super-technological?
It's a great period. I like it a lot, but have never played in a longer campaign, only in "inspired by" fantasy.I haven't, but I would love to someday. Probably set during the Roman Empire (early or late, doesn't matter).
It's a great period. I like it a lot, but have never played in a longer campaign, only in "inspired by" fantasy.
That's a matter of classification. Personally, however, I wouldn't call them historical.I've played in Bushido but I've never run it. (It gives me the fear, frankly)
Although even that doesn't quite qualify in the "no magic at all" category.
I think that's a bit inflexible. I'd still consider games that make a real effort to reflect the belief systems of the time to be historical.
I've played in Bushido but I've never run it. (It gives me the fear, frankly)
Although even that doesn't quite qualify in the "no magic at all" category.
I think that's a bit inflexible. I'd still consider games that make a real effort to reflect the belief systems of the time to be historical.
I think what gets complicated there is it can end up feeling less authentic, as players play to modern conceptions of the supernatural.That's a matter of classification. Personally, however, I wouldn't call them historical.
Authentic to the beliefs of the period, yes.
I use a nasty GMing trick for that.I think what gets complicated there is it can end up feeling less authentic, as players play to modern conceptions of the supernatural.
As the title says, ever run a campaign that was completely historical, or at the very least, involved nothing magic, supernatural, or super-technological?
I always wanted to do a Zorro meets the Lone Ranger campaign, but that's not historical. Besides, Zorro was about fifty years before the Lone Ranger.
The date that I have read for John Reid becoming the Lone Ranger is January 1, 1874. If that's the original Zorro Dynamite is using they are being very loose with the dates.
It's been a long time since I read or watched anything regarding The Fox, but I seem to recall in at least one version Zorro was a legacy role, handed down through the generations. May be wrong on that though.